Bishop John D'Arcy's full statement on possibly moving St. Joseph's High School

June 14, 2007

At the present time, there are four Catholic high schools in our diocese, two in each of our major urban areas. These present a great blessing and have been entrusted to us from the past. All four schools are flourishing and are engaged in either planning or carrying out major building programs. Saint Joseph's High School, South Bend, for several years has been undergoing long-range strategic planning and has looked at two possibilities: 1) The restoration and renewal of the present site with new facilities, such as a second gymnasium; 2) The building of a new school if a site became available. Recently, Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, came forward with a most gracious invitation to the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and to Saint Joseph's High School to give some of the land where they are now located to the diocese for St. Joseph's High School once the Regional Medical Center's move is completed. Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center has shown, in this gesture, concern for the South Bend community and a desire to help Catholic education and young people. This is also the tradition of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, the founders of the hospital. This offer places on the diocese the responsibility to make a careful inquiry and examine all possibilities. Estimates by the Saint Joseph's High School administration indicate that the cost of a new building would be $43 million. This in itself represents a serious concern to the diocese. While some of our high schools have debts to the diocese, they are paying on these debts. The diocese is able to loan to parishes and high schools, at a low interest rate. Where does the money come from? It is money belonging to all the parishes of the diocese that have savings on deposit. So we must be careful with these funds. We have approved the request of Saint Joseph's High School for an immediate feasibility study to ascertain if sufficient funds could be raised for the restoration of the present building, with an estimated cost of $26 million done in phases over several years as funds are raised, or for the erection of a new school. The study is expected to take six months, concluding by December 31, 2007. We have generally found that our high schools are able to raise between $4 million and $8 million. To raise $43 million is well beyond the reach of any high school so far. It has also been presented that funds can be raised through the sale of the present property. This also must be investigated. In all four high schools, we have been able to fund major improvements in phases. This is our policy. High schools and parishes must have at least 50 percent in cash and 50 percent in pledges for a project to proceed. Some concerns that the Bishop and Saint Joseph's High School need to address with the help of the feasibility study include the possibility of raising such substantial funds without incurring a debt that neither the high school nor the diocese can handle; the impact on the other institutions of the diocese, especially Marian High School, Mishawaka, and the relinquishing of the present site, which is in the midst of a great Catholic educational complex and at a place of high visibility in the community. The prospect of a totally new building is exciting to many, and Saint Joseph's High School deserves credit for considering it. The feasibility study will seek to determine which of these two possibilities is more realistic. Which one is affordable? Which one will assure the stronger future for Saint Joseph's High School? Which project can be fully integrated into the diocesan school system? I thank Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center for offering this site for a new building. I also thank the leadership of Saint Joseph's High School for the careful planning they have already done, and for their willingness to take up this initiative in order to ensure the continuance and growth of this splendid school in South Bend. I assure the leadership of Marian High School that they will be closely consulted before any decision is made. It is my responsibility to strengthen all our Catholic institutions for the future. The diocese is committed to two outstanding Catholic high schools in the South Bend area and two in Fort Wayne. That commitment will not change. We are entering a phase now of investigation, inquiry and prayer for light and guidance. Our diocesan staff will continue to work with all four Catholic high schools so that plans for the future will be sound and so that generations to come may be assured of a splendid Catholic elementary and secondary education.